#FeesMustFall: Is Zuma still a president? Universities continue to burn as students protest

Universities across the country have been set ablaze this morning as students continue their #FeesMustFall protest in demand for free tertiary education.
In KwaZulu-Natal, emergency services have been on the scene sifting the rubble after extinguishing a fire that broke out this morning at the William O’Brien Student Residence at their Pietermaritzburg campus.

Across town the Durban University of Technology Indumiso Campus was also set ablaze is little left of after it was set alight this morning.
In Gauteng, the Tshwane University of Technology has also been on fire this morning and classes have been suspended while students tried to escape the inferno.

In a statement that was released on Thursday, Allen Thompson, Deputy President of the National Teachers Union (Natu) had forewarned Government that universities would continue to burn, after a blaze had been set at UKZN the previous night.
He said that what is happening at the institutions shows that students are “fed up” with unfulfilled promises.

He prophetically stated that students wanted free education or campuses would continue to burn.
“They want it now, not tomorrow and many more universities will burn when they re-open from recess next week.”

Initially, Natu had supported the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Blade NzImande’s call for fee increases to be capped at 8 % and a no fee increase for students who were receiving NSFAS funding and those whose parents earn below R600 000 per annum.
Now, Natu has called for a nationwide conference to discuss free education and has drafted a proposed model on how it can be achieved.
In the meantime, the union has written a letter to Nzimande requesting an urgent meeting and are waiting for a meeting date from the fees commission.
Thompson says there can no longer be delays and Government cannot wait for the second round of public hearings next year because universities are burning now.
“We can’t wait for the second round of public hearings next year because universities are burning now,”